Qass-J ) £ '/ 
Book— — ii-U 



IRVING'S 

CATECHISM 



OF 



CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OP 

THE LIVES 

OP THE 

MOST CELEBRATED CHARACTERS 

AMONG THE 

Jnrintt §xnh anfo gtoraaHS. 

WITH ENGRAVED ILLUSTRATIONS, 



FOURTH AMERICAN EDITION, REVISED AND IMPROVED, 

Br M. J. KERNE Y, A.M. 

Author of Compendium of Ancient and Modern History, First Class 
Book of History, Catechism of the History of the United 
States, Columbian Arithmetic, dec. ax. dc. 



SfcaptrtJ to tfj* SEse of Schools in tfjt ©mtrtj Stettss. 



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BALTIMORE: 
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No. 174 Baltimore Street, 
1870. 




Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by 
JOHN MURPHY & CO. 
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PREFACE. 




The long established reputation of Irving's Cate- 
chisms precludes the necessity of adding any com- 
ments on their merits. The very extensive circula- 
tion which they have had, not only in England, but 
also in this country, is the best proof of their utility. 
The plan of his works is the very best that could be 
adopted. The catechetical form of instruction is 
now admitted, by the most experienced teachers, to 
be the best adapted to the nature and capacity of 
youth ; — a system by which children will acquire a 
knowledge of a science in less time than by any 
other. 

The perusal of history is at all times interesting. 
But to turn our minds back along the path of time, 
to call forth from their silent graves the heroes of the 
past and to hold communion with the great and the 
good of former ages, is a pleasing and instructive 
task. To the classical student, in particular, the 
present number will be found to possess peculiar at- 
tractions. It presents in a few words, the most, in- 
teresting events in the lives of those whose names 
have cast a lustre over the historic page of Greece 
and Rome. 

The edition of the Classical Biography which is 
now presented to the public, has been carefully re- 
vised and corrected ; and no pains have been spared 
on the part of the Publishers to render it still more 
worthy of that liberal patronage which has been ex- 
tended in general, to Dr. Irving's series of Catechisms. 

1* 5 




CONTENTS. 



CHAP. PAGE 

1. Homer 7 

2. Hesoid 8 

3. Lycurgus 9 

4. Romulus 10 

5. Numa Pompilius 11 

6. Mso$ 13 

7. Pythagoras 13 

8. L. Junius Brutus 15 

9. Anacreon 16 

10. Solon . 17 

11. Pindar 17 

12. Herodotus 19 

13. Thucydides 20 

14. Sophocles 21 

15. Euripides 22 

16. Miltiades 23 

17. Leonidas 23 

18. Aristides 24 

19. Coriolanus 25 

20. Themistocles 27 

21. Pausanias.... 28 

22. Epaminondas 28 

23. Socrates 30 

24. Plato 32 

25. Xenophon 34 

26. Alcibiades 35 

27. Diogenes 36 

28. Alexander the Great.. 37 

29. Aristotle 38 

30. Demosthenes 39 

31. Euclid. 41 

32. Theocritus 41 

6 



CHAP. PAGE 

33. Epicurus 42 

34. Archimedes 43 

35. Hannibal 44 

36. Cato 46 

37. Scipio. .. 49 

38. Polybius 50 

39. Gracchi 52 

40. Marius 53 

41. Sylla 55 

42. Pompey 56 

43. Julius Caesar 58 

44. Eoscius 61 

45. Cicero 62 

46. Sallust 64 

47. M. Junius Brutus 64 

48. Antony 67 

49. Augustus 68 

50. Virgil 71 

51. Horace 73 

52. Livy 74 

53. Ovid 75 

54. Cornelius Nepos 76 

55. Phsedrus , 77 

56. Germanicus , 78 

57. Lucan 79 

58. Tacitus 80 

59. Juvenal 81 

60. Plutarch 82 

61. Seneca 84 

62. Josephus 85 

63. Pyrrhus... 86 

64. Piwi stratus 88 



A CATECHISM 

OP 

ftteital f iugmpfe 



CHAPTER L 

Homer. 
Q. Who was Homer ? 

A. Homer was a celebrated Greek poet, who 
flourished about 900 years before Christ. 
Q. Where was he born ? 

A. The place of his birth is uncertain ; but by 
some writers he is said to have been born at 
Smyrna. Little is known of his parentage, or the 
circumstances of his life : it is generally agreed 
that he was a wandering poet, and is said to have 
beer blind in his old age. 

Q. What are his works ? 

A. The poems of Homer are the Iliad and the 
Odyssey, each in twenty-four books : the former 
describes the wrath of Achilles, and the many 
calamities that followed from it ; the subject of 

7 



8 



CATECHISM OF 



the latter is the return of Ulysses to his native 
country. 

Q. What have you to observe of his writings ? 

A. The writings of Homer are the most ancient 
that have been transmitted to us, except the Holy 
Scriptures, and some Indian compositions ; they 
have rendered him immortal, by their sublimity, 
animation, and elegance, which have scarcely 
been equalled by any succeeding poet. 

Q. Was Homer much venerated by the an- 
cients ? 

A. The ancients had such veneration for Homer, 
that they not only raised temples and statues to 
his honor, but offered sacrifices, and worshipped 
him as a god : his poems were so universally 
admired, that every man of learning could repeat 
with facility any passage from either. 



CHAPTER II. 

Hesiod, 
Q. Who was Hesiod ? 

A. Hesiod was also a Greek poet, who is sup- 
posed to have flourished about the time of Homer, 
or some years later. 

Q. What did Hesiod write ? 

A. The principal work of Hesiod is on agricul- 
ture, and is termed the Works and Days. 

Q. What is the merit of this work ? 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY, 



9 



A. In addition to botanical knowledge it abounds 
with valuable moral reflections. 
Q. What is the style ? 

A. Though not sublime and regular, the work is 
written in an elegant and engaging style. 



CHAPTER III. 

Lycurgus. 
Q. Who was Lycurgus ? 

A. Lycurgus was a celebrated lawgiver of Sparta, 
who flourished about 884 years before Christ. 
He reigned over his native country, until his 
nephew Charilaus had arrived at years of matu- 
rity : he afterward travelled in Asia and Egypt, 
to observe the manners of the different nations, 
and to ascertain the nature of their political insti- 
tutions. 

Q. What did Lycurgus do at his return ? 

A. Lycurgus, upon his return, set about reform- 
ing the abuses of the state, and framing laws to 
render the Spartans a warlike people, and passion- 
ately devoted to their country. 

T. Give a general outline of his plan. 

P. Lycurgus made an equal division of property ; 
he appointed the same dress to be worn by all 
orders of the state ; forbade the use of any other 
than iron money; and formed a system of national 
education, which, inuring the Spartain youth to 



10 



CATECHISM OF 



toil and hardships, rendered them intrepid and 
magnanimous. 

Q. By what stratagem did Lycurgus insure the 
continuance of his laws ? 

A. Although Lycurgus was successful in esta- 
blishing these laws, yet, conceiving that posterity 
might degenerate, he bound all the Spartans by a 
solemn oath, that they would not alter, violate, or 
abolish them before his return ; and soon after, 
he put himself to death, in Crete, and ordered 
his ashes to be thrown into the sea. 

Q. How long did the laws of Lycurgus remain 
in force ? 

A. They remained in force about 700 years. 



CHAPTER IV. 
Romulus. 
Q. Who was Romulus ? 

A. Romulus was the founder of Rome, and a 
great legislator. 

Q. What is remarkable in his life ? 

A. Romulus and his twin brother Remus were 
thrown into the Tiber, by command of Amulius, 
who usurped the crown of his brother Numitor. 
The water at the time was too shallow to drown 
them, and they are said to have been fed by a 
wolf with her milk until found by Faustulus, the 
king's shepherd, who educated them as his children 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



11 



What were his subsequent adventures ? 

A. When Romulus and his brother grew up and 
knew their origin, they killed Amulius, and restored 
the crown to their grandfather Numitor : they then 
took omens for the honor of building a city on the 
spot of their preservation; and Romulus, being 
successful, laid the foundation of Rome, called after 
his name, which afterward became the mistress of 
the civilized world. 

Q. How did he die ? 

A. He disappeared during a storm, while review- 
ing his army : he is thought by some to have been 
murdered by his soldiers, by others he is said to 
have been taken up to heaven ; the Romans, there- 
fore, worshipped him under the name of Quirinus. 



CHAPTER V. 

Numa Pompilius. 

Q. Who was Numa Pompilius ? 

A. Numa Pompilius was a native of Cures, a 
Sabine village, and was born 753 years before 
Christ. 

Q. What were his habits ? 

A. He was fond of study and retirement. 

Q. What honor was conferred on him ? 

A. When he had attained the age of thirty-nine, 



12 



CATECHISM OF 



the Romans, on the death of Romulus, elected him 
their king. 

Q. Did Numa readily accept this honor ? 

A. Preferring an independent privacy, he refused 
compliance; and it was only after the repeated 
entreaties of his friends, that he was induced to 
accept the crown. 

Q. How did he act, after he became king ? 

A. His care was to enjoin a reverence for religion, 
to soften the manners of the people, and to form 
civil institutions favorable to the continuance of 
peace and order. 

Q. What means did he use to procure respect for 
his laws ? 

A. He encouraged the report that he held an 
habitual intercourse with the nymph Egeria, and 
that the laws which he ordained were sanctioned 
by her authority : he declared also, that the safety 
of the state depended on the sacred shield, which 
he alleged had descended from heaven, and which 
he required should be guarded with unremitted 
care. 

Q. How long did Numa reign ? 

A. Numa reigned 43 years ; and at his death he 
was deeply regretted, not only by his own subjects, 
but also by those of the neighboring tribes. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



13 



CHAPTER VI. 

jEsop. 
Q, Who was JEsop ? 

A. JEsop was a celebrated writer, and was born 
in Phrygia, in the condition of a slave. 

Q. What are his writings ? 

A. The fables now extant which bear his name 
are supposed to have been written by JEsop ; but 
some think that they are only a collection of all 
the fables and moral tales before and after his time, 
together with his own, 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. JEsop, after residing at the court of his patron, 
Croesus, king of Lydia, was sent by that prince to 
consult the oracle at Delphi ; but indulging in the 
natural sallies of his wit, he was accused of sacri- 
lege by the Delphians, who killed him by throwing 
him from a rock, about 561 years before Christ. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Pythagoras. 

Q. Who was Pythagoras ? 
A. Pythagoras was a celebrated philosopher of 
Samos, who travelled through Egypt and Chaldea 

2 



14 



CATECHISM OF 



to India in search of knowledge, and returning, 
opened a school in Crotona. 

Q. What were the superior endowments of this 
philosopher ? 

A. Pythagoras was remarkable for his strength and 
agility, for which he was crowned at the Olympic 
games, in the eighteenth year of his age. He was 
admired for his skill in poetry, music, and medicine, 
as well as for his knowledge of mathematics and 
natural philosophy, which he communicated with 
consummate grace and eloquence. 

Q. What are the principal doctrines of Pytha- 
goras ? 

A. He exhorted men to frugality, benevolence, 
philanthrogy, veneration for parents, and devotion 
to the gods. He taught the transmigration of 
souls; prohibited the eating of flesh; and held 
that the universe was created by a powerful being, 
who continued as its mover and soul. 

Q. Where did he die ? 

A. Both the time and the place of the death of 
Pythagoras are uncertain : he is supposed to have 
died 535 years before Christ; and so much was 
this great philosopher venerated, that he received 
the same honors as were paid to the immortal gods, 
and his house became a sacred temple 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



15 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Lucius Junius Brutus. 

Q. Who was Lucius Junius Brutus ? 

A. Lucius Junius Brutus, a distinguished Ro- 
man, was the son of Marcus Junius, by T irquinia, 
daughter of King Tarquinius Priscus. 

Q. For what cause was the surname Brutus im- 
posed ? 

A. His father and elder brother had been slain 
by Tarquinius Superbus : apprehending a similar 
fate, he counterfeited insanity, and was suffered to 
live, as beneath the notice of the tyrant; the name 
Brutus was added, on account of his apparent 
stupidity. 

Q. What circumstance discovered his true cha- 
racter ? 

A. When the virtuous Lucretia killed herself, on 
account of the violence that had been offered to her 
by one of the sons of Tarquin, he drew the dagger 
from the wound and resolved to expel the royal 
family. 

Q. Did the conduct of Brutus rouse the Romans ? 

A. The Tarquins were proscribed, and supreme 
authority was committed to the consuls. 

Q. What example of stern justice did Brutus 
exhibit ? 

A. His sons having engaged in a conspiracy to 
restore the abjured family, were tried before theii 



16 



CATECHISM OF 



father, and condemned ; nor did he decline being 
present at their execution. 
Q. How did he die ? 

A. In an engagement with the enemy, Brutus 
and Aruns, son of the late king, met with such 
fury, that they both fell pierced with mutual 
wounds. The body was brought to Rome, to be 
honorably interred ; and for a year the matrons 
lamented Brutus as the father of his country. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Anacreon. 
Q. Who was Anacreon ? 

A. Anacreon was a Greek poet, a native of Teos, 
a town of Ionia. 

Q. Of what form and nature are his poems ? 

A. They are short lyrical compositions, such as 
may be accompanied with the music of the lyre, 
and are of a light amatory nature. 

Q. Are the poems of Anacreon favorable to 
morality ? 

A. They are of a gay character, and abound with 
exhortations to seize pleasure ; but they cannot be 
said to contain what is positively immoral. 

Q. How did Anacreon die ? 

A, In his eighty-fifth year, he was choked by the 
seed of a grape. He flourished 532 years before 
Christ. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



17 



CHAPTER X. 
Solon. 
Q Who was Solon ? 

A Solon was one of the wise men of Greece, and 
the lawgiver of the Athenians, who flourished about 
500 years before the Christian era. 

Q. What is remarkable of his life ? 

A. After devoting the early part of his life to 
philosophical and political studies, he was called 
upon, by his fellow-citizens, to remove the then 
existing evils, and to devise some salutary constitu- 
tion for the state. 

Q. Where did he die ? 

A. Solon having bound the Athenian citizens by 
a solemn oath, that they would faithfully observe 
his laws for the space of 100 years, retired from 
Athens, and died in Cyprus ; the salutary effects 
of his laws may be concluded, from their being in 
full force 400 years after his death. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Pindar. 
Q. Who was Pindar ? 

A. Pindar was a Theban, who lived between the 
521st and the 435th years before Christ. 

2* 



18 



CATECHISM OF 



Q. How were his early years spent ? 

A. The early years of Pindar were spent in study- 
ing music and poetry; from Myrtis and Corinna 
he learned to compose verses. 

Q. What story is told as emblematical of hig 
future greatness t 

A. It is said, that while Pindar was a youth, a 
swarm of bees settled around his lips ; as if pre- 
dicting the fertility and sweetness of his produc- 
tions* 

Q. How did Pindar succeed in contests with 
those by whom he had been instructed ? 

A. In a contest of music, Pindar overcame 
Myrtis ; but in poetical competitions, he was five 
times overcome by Corinna ; the prizes, however, 
being, in the opinion of some, awarded out of re- 
spect rather to her beauty than her genius. 

Q. What were the subjects on which Pindai 
composed verses ? 

A, Pindar wrote hymns to the gods, and odes to 
the conquerors at the great Grecian games; but 
the latter are the only compositions that remain. 

Q. What is the character of these odes ? 

A. His odes are admired for grandeur of expres- 
sion, magnificence of style, boldness of metaphors, 
and harmony of numbers. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



19 



CHAPTER XII. 

Herodotus. 
Q . Who was Herodotus ? 

A Herodotus was a native of Halicarnassus, who 
flourished about 440 years before Christ. 

Q. How did he distinguish himself? 

A. Having left his country, oppressed by Lygda- 
niis, he returned after he had surveyed the most 
celebrated countries, and succeeded in expelling 
the tyrant. 

Q. How was this action received ? 

A. Instead of procuring admiration, it displeased 
the populace ; and Herodotus was again obliged to 
flee. 

Q. On what occasion did he afterward appear at 
the public games ? 

A. When in his thirty-ninth year, Herodotus 
appeared at the Olympic games ; and recited his 
history, which was received with such applause, 
that its nine books were named after the nine 
Muses. 

Q What does this work contain ? 

A. The History of Herodotus contains the wars 
of the Greeks and Persians, with an account of 
other celebrated nations. * 

Q. What title did it procure its author ? 

A. Herodotus is named the father of history. 

Q. What are the merits of this composition ? 



20 



CATECHISM OF 



A. The history of Herodotus is written with ease 
and elegance; if it contain a portion of the in- 
credible, it was the manner of the age, and it is 
related on the authority o? other* 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Thucydides. 

Q. Who was Thucydides ? 

A. Thucydides was a native of Athens, and lived 
between the 471st and the 391st years before 
Christ. 

Q. How did he employ himself? 

A. Thucydides entered the army, and was sent 
to relieve Amphipolis ; but the quick march of 
the Lacedaemonian general prevented his success. 

Q. What was the consequence of his failure ? 

A. He was banished from Athens. 

Q. What did Thucydides do in his banishment ? 

A. Thucydides wrote a history of the Peloponne- 
sian War. 

Q. What is the character of this work I 
A. The history is correct and impartial, without 
any appearance of resentment against his country- 
men; his style is glowing and animated. 
Q. Where did he die ? 

A. Thucydides having been recalled from banish- 
ment, died at his native city. 



\ 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



21 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Sophocles. 

T. Describe the early life of Sophocles. 

P, Sophocles was born at Colone, in Attica, 
about 497 years before Christ ; he was a commander 
m the Athenian army, and was elected to the 
dignity of archon, which was the highest honor in 
the republic. 

Q. What are his writings ? 

A. Sophocles wrote one hundred and twenty 
tragedies, and obtained the prize for poetry twenty 
times ; of his tragedies, only seven remain \ and 
they prove him to have advanced the drama almost 
to perfection. 

Q. What is related of his sons ? 

A. The unnatural sons of Sophocles, displeased 
at the long life of their father, accused him of 
insanity; Sophocles made no other defence than 
by reading a tragedy which he had just finished, 
and which represents an old man despoiled by his 
children ; the judges, indignant at the charge, con- 
firmed him in his possessions, and with the whole 
body of the people conducted him home in triumph. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. The death of Sophocles is said to have been 
caused by excessive joy, at obtaining a poetical 
prize in the Olympic games, in the ninety-first 
year of his age. 



22 CATECHISM OP 



CHAPTER XV. 

Euripides. 
Q. Who was Euripides ? 

A. Euripides was a great tragic poet, was a na- 
tive of Salamis; he lived from the 485th to the 
407th year before Christ. 

Q. How many tragedies did he write ? 

A. He wrote seventy-five, but nineteen only re- 
main ; among the most admired of these, aro 
Orestes, Medea, and Electra. 

Q. What are the distinguishing qualities of hi* 
plays ? 

A. The tragedies of Euripides, while they are by 
no means destitute of sublimity, are chiefly distin- 
guished by tenderness, elegance, and pathos. 

Q. Did the tragedies of Euripides produce a 
powerful effect ? 

A. The effect was so powerful, that several 
Greeks in slavery obtained freedom for the repe- 
tition of some verses from the plays of Euripides. 

Q. Where did Euripides reside ? 

A. Euripides resided at Athens; but his merit 
was attended with envy and even ridicule ; he left, 
at length, this city for the court of Archelaus, the 
Macedonian king, by whom he was entertained 
with royal generosity. 

Q. How did Euripides die ? 

A. In a solitary walk he was met by the dogs 
of the monarch and torn to pieces 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



23 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Milt iades. 
Q Who was Miltiades ? 

A Miltiades was a valiant and patriotic Athenian 
general, who lived about 490 years before the 
Christian era. 

Q. What remarkable achievement have you to 
relate of him ? 

A. Miltiades has immortalized his name by the 
important victory he obtained at Marathon, with 
10,000 Greeks, over the Persian army of Darius, 
consisting of above 100,000 men. 

Q. What else have you to relate of him ? 

A. Miltiades was afterward invested with the 
command of the Athenian fleet; but, being falsely 
accused of treason, he was thrown into prison, 
where he died of his wounds. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Leonidas. 
Q> Who was Leonidas ? 

A. Leonidas was the King of Sparta, who with 
a small body of men bravely opposed the whole 
Persian army under Xerxes. 

T. Describe the engagement. 

P. Xerxes advanced to the conquest of Greece 



24 



CATECHISM OF 



with an army of two millions of men, and the 
Greeks resolved to make a stand against the enemy 
at the Straits of Thermopylae ; this position was 
maintained dnring three days, and Leonidas, with 
his 300 Spartans alone, refused to abandon the 
pass, when they were betrayed; but making a 
dreadful havoc among the enemy, nobly devoted 
their lives for their country. 

Q. When was this battle fought ? 

A. This celebrated battle, to which there is no 
parallel in history, was fought on the 7th of 
August, about 480 years before Christ. Temples 
were raised to the fallen hero, and games cele- 
brated to his memory. 

Q. What reply did Leonidas make to Xerxes, 
when a herald was sent to demand his arms ? 

A. He replied, Come and take them. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Aristides. 
Q. Who was Aristides ? 

A. Aristides was an illustrious Athenian, sut* 
named the Just, on account of his integrity, whc 
lived about 480 years before Christ. 

Q. What are the most remarkable occurrences 
of his life ? 

A. Aristides was not less remarkable for his 
bravery than for moral excellence ; he was ap- 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



25 



pointed chief commander with Pausanias against 
Mardonius, whom they defeated at Plataea; The- 
mistocles, afterwards envying him, caused him to 
be banished; but before six years of his exile 
were elapsed, he was recalled by the Athenians. 

Q. What remarkable circumstance appeared at 
his death ? 

A. The honesty of Aristides was so great, that, 
though he passed through the highest employ- 
ments of the State, he did not leave money enough 
to defray the expense of his funeral. He was 
buried at the public charge ; and his two daughters, 
on account of their father's virtues, received a 
dowry from the public treasury when they came 
to marriageable years. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Coriolanus. 
Q. Who was Coriolanus ? 

A. Coriolanus was a Roman, who, from a private 
soldier, raised himself to the highest honors by 
his valor and generosity; but was afterwards 
banished by the malice of an ungrateful people. 

Q. What was the effect of this upon Coriolanus ? 

A. Coriolanus retired, in resentment, to the 
Volsci, who were the greatest enemies of the 
Romans ; and, being hospitably received, he ad- 
vised them to make war against Rome, and put 
himself at their head as their general. 

3 



26 



CATECHISM OF 



2*. Describe the subsequent conduct of Corio. 
lanus. 

P. After subjecting the Roman territories, he 
advanced, at the head of a numerous army, to be- 
siege the city of Rome itself : the senate and 
people, much alarmed at his determination, sent 
several embassies to reconcile him } but they all 
proved fruitless, till, being moved by the tears 
and embraces of his mother Veturia, his wife, and 
his two children, he drew off his army. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. The behavior of Coriolanus displeased the 
Volsci, and he was summoned before the people ; 
on the day appointed, the clamor against him 
was so great, that he was murdered before the 
trial. 

Q. In what year did he die ? 

A. The death of Coriolanus happened 448 years 
before Christ, after a late and ineffectual repent- 
ance. He was honored with a magnificent fune- 
ral, and the matrons of Rome put on mourning 
for his loss. 

Note. — The senate of Rome commanded a temple to be 
erected on the spot where the interview between Coriolanus 
and his mother took place, and dedicated it to maternal 
influence. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



27 



CHAPTER XX. 

Themistocles. 

Q. Who was Themistocles ? 

A. Themistocles was an illustrious and patriotic 
Athenian commander, contemporary with Aristides 

Q. What action have you to record of him ? 

A. Themistocles was the father of the navai 
power of Athens ; but upon his being appointed 
to the supreme command against Xerxes, the 
jealousies of the other generals would have proved 
fatal to the cause of Greece, had he not freely 
relinquished his power — thus showing them, that 
his ambition could stoop, when his country de- 
manded the sacrifice. 

Q. What was the result of his temperance ? 

A. Themistocles thus united the whole Grecian 
force, and directed an attack on the Persian fleet 
lying at Salamis : the battle was decisive ; and by 
this victory he delivered his country from the in- 
vader's tyranny. 

Q. What afterwards became of Themistocles ? 

A. Some time after this signal victory, Themis- 
tocles was banished through the jealousy of his 
fellow-citizens, and he retired to the court of 
Artaxerxes, where he was received in a friendly 
manner ; but, being requested to direct the war 
against his native but ungrateful country, rather 
than disoblige his benefactor, or be an unworthy 
son of Athens, he killed himself by taking poison, 
449 years before Christ. 



28 CATECHISM OF 

CHAPTER XXL 

Pausanias. 
Q. Who was Pausanias ? 

A. Pausanias was a king of Lacedsemon, who 
distinguished himself by the defeat of the Persian 
army under Mardonius, at Plataea. 

Q. When was this battle fought ? 

A. The battle of Platsea was fought about 479 
years before Christ. The Persian army amounted 
to 300,000 men, scarcely 3000 of whom escaped 
the slaughter ; while the loss of the Greeks did 
not exceed 610. Pausanias received the tenth of 
all the spoils, on account of his uncommon valor 
during the engagement. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Pausanias, being afterwards detected of hav- 
ing conspired against his country, took sanctuary 
in a temple, where he was starved to death, the 
building being surrounded by heaps of stones ; 
the first of which was carried by the indignant 
mother of the unhappy man. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Epaminondas, 

Q. Who was Epaminondas ? 
A. Epaminondas was a famous Theban general, 
and incorruptible patriot of royal origin, cele- 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



29 



brated for his private virtues and military accom- 
plishments : his love of truth was so great, that 
he never disgraced himself by a falsehood. 

Q. What are his most remarkable adventures? 

A. By the advice of Epaminondas, Thebes was 
delivered from the power of Lacedaemon. During 
the war that followed, he raised the military glory 
of his country, and obtained the celebrated victory 
at Leuctra about 371 years before Christ. He 
then marched into the enemy's territories, where 
he gained many partizans and friends. 

Q. What was the situation of affairs on his 
return ? 

A. When Epaminondas returned to Thebes, he 
Was seized as a traitor, for violating the laws of 
his country; and all his eminent services seemed 
unable to redeem him from death. 

Q. What defence did he make ? 

A. Epaminondas paid implicit obedience to the 
laws of his country, and only begged of his judges, 
that it might be inscribed on his tomb, that he 
suffered death for having saved his country from 
ruin : this animated reproach was felt ; he was 
pardoned, and again invested with the sovereign 
command. 

Q What else have you to record of him ? 

A, He afterwards carried on several successful 
wars, and again engaged with the Lacedaemonians 
at Mantinea, where he received a mortal wound 

Note.— In the midst of his successes, he had violated the 
law which forbade any citizen to retain the supreme power 
more than one month. 

3* 



30 



CATECHISM OF 



while bravely fighting in the thickest of the enemy, 
but survived till he heard that his army was victo- 
rious. 

Q. In what year did he die ? 

A. Epaminondas died about 363 years before 
Christ, in the 48th year of his age : the Thebans 
sincerely lamented his loss ; in him their power 
was extinguished, for only during his life they 
had enjoyed freedom and independence among the 
Grecian States. 



CHAPTER XXIIX 

Socrates. 
Q. Who was Socrates ? 

A. Socrates was the son of Sophoniscus, a statu- 
ary; he was the most renowned of the ancient 
philosophers, and called the father of philosophy. 

Q. What was the employment of Socrates ? 

A. Socrates followed for some time the occupation 
of his father : he also appeared, like the rest of his 
countrymen, in the field of battle, and fought with 
boldness and intrepidity ; but he is chiefly eonspicu* 
ous as a philosopher and moralist. 

Q. What character is given of this great man ? 

A. Socrates was fond of labor, and had inured 
himself to hardships; he bore injuries with 
patience, and the insults of malice or resentment 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



31 



he treated with contempt ; his pupils were nume- 
rous, and were instructed by his exemplary life, as 
much as by his doctrines. 

Q. What were the subjects of his lectures ? 

A. Socrates, in his lectures, considered the nature 
af piety, impiety, honor, dishonor, justice, and in- 
justice \ in all which he showed independence of 
spirit, and a great superiority of mind over his 
countrymen. 

Q. What were the consequences of his superior 
talents ? 

A, The superior attainments of Socrates created 
him many enemies : he was riduculed on the stage, 
and accused of having made innovations in the 
religion of the Greeks. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Socrates was condemned, by a majority of only 
three voices, to drink the juice of hemlock. While 
in prison, he discoursed with his friends upon 
different subjects with his usual cheerfulness and 
serenity, and, when the hour to drink the poison 
was come, the executioner presented it with tears 
in his eyes. Socrates received it with composure, 
and drinking it with an unaltered countenance, in 
a few moments expired, in the 70th year of his 
age, and about 400 years before Christ 



1 

82 CATECHISM OF 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Plato. 
Q. Who was Plato ? 

A. Plato, tlie son of Ariston, was an Athenian 
philosopher, who lived between the 429th and the 
348th years before Christ. 

Q. How was his youth spent ? 

A. Plato was trained to gymnastic exercises, and 
to the study of mathematics and poetry. 

Q. What was the effect of these studies ? 

A. From his early studies, Plato derived thai 
union of fancy and acuteness by which his writ- 
ings are distinguished. 

Q. What were his first compositions ? 

A. Plato began with writing tragic and poetic 
pieces. 

Q. Did he continue to cultivate this species of 
composition ? 

A. Having, at the age of 20, been introduced to 
Socrates, he acquired more accurate habits ; and, 
examining more rigidly his own productions, com- 
mitted them in dissatisfaction to the flames. 

Q. Was Plato long with Socrates ? 

A. For eight years Plato was the pupil of 
Socrates. 

Q. What tribute of respect did Plato pay to the 
memory of his master ? 

A. Plato composed a minute and interesting 
detail of the worth and wisdom of Socrates, and 
the manner in which he met his fate. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



33 



Q. After the death of Socrates, how did Plato 
employ himself? 

A. To enlarge his acquaintance with science and 
mankind, Plato visited Greece, Sicily, and Egypt; 
conversed with the learned, and examined the 
works of nature. 

Q. How was Plato next occupied ? 

Q. Plato opened an academy in the neighborhood 
of Athens \ and for forty years was attended by 
distinguished pupils, and employed in writing. 

Q. Did the manner of Plato discover the pride 
of learning? 

A. Plato was mild and unostentatious, not boast- 
ing of his attainments, but mixing with the 
world on equal terms. 

Q. By what name was Plato distinguished ; 

A. On account of the elegance and sauvity of 
his style, Plato was called the Athenian bee. 

Q. Had Plato any just view of the government 
of Providence ? 

A. Plato taught, that amidst all the afflictions 
and changes of life, man is still the object of 
Divine regard. 

Q. What other great truth did Plato hold ? 

A. Plato followed his instructor Socrates, in 
maintaining the immortality of the soul ; and for 
his doctrine he added powerful arguments. 

Q. How did Plato die ? 

A. Plato, as Cicero relates, died while writing ; 
or, according to another account, at an entertain- 
ment : but it is agreed that his end was without 
*>ain or alarm. 



34 



CATECHISM OF 



CHAPTER XXV. 
Xenophon. 
Q. Who was Xenophon ? 

A. Xenophon, the son of Gryllus, was a native 
of Athens, and was born about the year 440 
before Christ. 

Q. How was he distinguished ? 

A. Xenophon was a general, and an author. 

Q. As a general, what action of his is celebrated? 

A. Ten thousand Greeks had followed the for- 
tunes of Cyrus, in his attempt to dethrone his 
brother Artaxerxes. After the defeat of the 
prince, the Greeks found themselves 600 leagues 
from home, and in an enemy's country; Xenophon 
conducted them in safety through its deserts and 
rivers. 

Q. What are some of the writings of Xenophon ? 

A. Among the writings of Xenophon are the 
Anabasis, an account of that action in which he 
had so important a share ; the Cyropcedia, a life 
of Cyrus; and the Memorabilia and Apology, 
accounts of the life and opinions of Socrates. 

Q. What are the characters of his writings ? 

A. Ease, simplicity, and elegance mark the 
style of Xenophon ; and in his sentiments we find 
the love of virtue and of religion. 

Q. Where did he die ? 

A. He died at Corinth, in the 90th year of his 
age. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



35 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Alcibiades. 
Q. Who was Alcibiades ? 

A, Alcibiades was an Athenian general, a disci- 
ple of Socrates, famous for his versatile genius 
and enterprising spirit. 

Q. What are his most remarkable adventures ? 

A. While Alcibiades was absent on an expedi- 
tion against Syracuse, he was accused of impiety; 
upon which he fled, and stirred up the Spartans to 
make war upon Athens. Being unsuccessful in this, 
he retired to Persia ; but being recalled by the 
Athenians, and being placed at the head of their 
army, he compelled the Lacdaemonians to sue for 
peace, and was received in triumph at Athens. 

Q. What were his subsequent adventures ? 

A. His popularity was of short duration; and 
he fled to Persia, where he endeavored to excite 
a war against the Lacedaemonians, which, being 
told to Lysander, their general, he prevailed on 
the Persians to murder Alcibiades. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Two servants were sent to dispatch him ; and 
they set on fire the cottage in which he resided, 
and killed him with darts as he attempted to 
make his escape. Before Christ, 404. 



86 



CATECHISM OF 



CHAPTER XXVII, 

Diogenes. 
Q. Who was Diogenes ? 

A. Diogenes was a celebrated Cynic philosopher 
born 420 years before Christ, at Sinope, from 
which place he was banished, and he retired to 
Athens. 

T. Relate some of his singularities. 

P. Diogenes was remarkable for his contempt 
of riches, and for his negligence in dress : he had 
no food but what was brought to him daily ; and 
he lived in a tub, the open side of which he 
turned toward the sun in winter, and the contrary 
side in summer. 

T. Describe his interview with Alexander the 
Great. 

P. Alexander, having heard of Diogenes, conde- 
scended to visit him in his tub, and even offered 
him any thing he should desire. Get out of my 
sunshine, said he, lest thou take from me what 
thou canst not give me. Alexander was so struck 
with this reply, that he declared, if he were not 
Alexander, he could be content to be Diogenes. 

Q. When did he die ? 

A.. After a life spent in the greatest misery and 
indigence, Diogenes died in the year 324 before 
Christ, at the advanced age of 96 years. He is 
remarkable for his singularities ; but his assumed 
virtues arose from pride and vanity, not from 
wisdom or sound philosophy. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



87 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Alexander the Great 

Q Who was Alexander ? 

A. Alexander was the son of Philip, King of 
Macedon; he succeeded his father on the throne, 
and proved himself to be a prince of extraordinary 
talents and ambition. 

T. Relate some of his actions. 

P. Alexander began his great enterprises about 
the 17th year of his age. In 12 years he conquered 
Thrace and Illyricum, and destroyed Thebes ; he 
defeated Darius in three pitched battles; and 
having thus overturned the empire of the Persians, 
he made himself master of all Greece, Syria, 
Egypt, almost all the East, and the greater part 
of the then known world. 

Q. What else have you to relate of Alex- 
ander ? i 

A. His victories and continued success increased 
his pride, and he ordered himself to be worshipped 
as a God ; Callisthenes, who refused to do so, was 
put to death; Clitus his friend, who had once 
saved his life in battle, was slain by Alexander 
himself, for preferring the virtues and exploits of 
his father to his. 

Q. Where did he die, and what character is given 
of him? 

A. Alexander died at Babylon, B. c. 323, in the 

4 



38 



CATECHISM OF 



32d year of his age : his death is attributed tc 
poison, or excessive drinking. With all his pride, 
he was humane and liberal, and a great patron of 
learning; he was brave, often to rashness. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Aristotle. 
Q. Who was Aristotle ? 

A. Aristotle was a famous philosopher, son of a 
physician, and was born at Stagira, 384 years before 
Christ ; after he had spent 20 years with Plato, 
he opened a school for himself, in which he taught 
philosophy. 

Q. To whom was he preceptor ? 

A. Aristotle was ten years preceptor to Alex- 
ander, who ever after respected him, and received 
his instructions with deference. 

Q. What high enconiums are recorded of him ? 

A. Philip, Alexander's father, wrote to Aristotle 
in these words : "I inform you I have a son; I 
thank the gods not so much for making me a 
father, as for giving me a son in an age when he 
can have Aristotle for his instructor ; I hope you 
will make him a successor worthy of me, and a 
king worthy of Macedonia/' He has also been 
called by Plato "the Philosopher of Truth/' 

Q. What writings of Aristotle have been trans- 
mitted to us ? 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



39 



A. The writings of Aristotle treat of almost 
every branch of knowledge known in his time : 
moral and natural philosophy, metaphysics, mathe- 
matics, mechanics, grammer, criticism, and politics, 
all exercised his pen. 

Q. What character is given of him ? 

A. Aristotle was a man of eloquence, universal 
knowledge, facility and acuteness of invention, 
and fecundity of thought; he was moderate in 
his means, slept little, and was indefatigably in- 
dustrious. 

Q. In what year did Aristotle die ? 

A. He died about the year 322 before Christ, 
and in the 63d year of his age. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

Demosthenes. 

Q. Who was Demosthenes ? 

A. Demosthenes was the son of an Athenian 
armorer, and being left to the care of guardians, 
his education was totally neglected ; but, by indus- 
try and application, he became the most famous 
orator of Greece. 

Q. What impediments had he to surmount ? 

A. His rising talents were impeded by weak 
lungs, and a difficulty of pronouncing the letter r; 
to remove the stammering of his voice, he spoke 
with pebbles in his mouth ; and, to acquire a cor- 
rect and sonorous mode of speaking, he frequently 



40 



CATECHISM OF 



ran up the steepest and most uneven walks, ox 
declaimed upon the sea-shore, when the waves 
were violently agitated. 

Q. What have you to record of his political life % 

A. The abilities of Demosthenes as an orator 
soon placed him at the head of the Athenien 
government ; in that capacity, he aroused the peo- 
ple from their indolence, and animated them 
against the encroachments and usurpations of 
Philip, King of Macedon, as well as against the 
demands of his successor, Alexander. 

Q. What failings have been laid to his charge ? 

A. In the battle of the Cheronaea, this great 
orator left a stain upon his memory, by throwing 
away his shield to escape; and his virtue was 
said not to be incorruptible, as he was accused of 
receiving a bribe, and was thrown into prison, 
from which, however, he made his escape by the 
assistance of his friends. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. When Antipater succeeded Alexander, he 
fled to save his life ; and when he saw that no hope 
of safety remained, he drank poison, which he 
always carried about with him, that he might not 
fall into the hands of his enemies, and died in the 
62d year of his age. 

Q. What have you to remark of his writings ? 

A. The orations of Demosthenes, which remain to 
this day, have always been celebrated as the most 
perfect models of eloquence extant ; they are par- 
ticularly distinguished by their elegance of styie 
force of argument, keen satire, and writhing sarcasm, 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



41 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

Euclid. 
Q. Who was Euclid ? 

A. Euclid was a famous mathematician and 
musician, of Alexandria, in Egypt, who nourished 
300 years before the Christian era. He was so 
respected, that King Ptolemy became one of his 
pupils ) and Plato himself, a great mathematician, 
as well as eminent in general science, held him 
in the highest esteem. 

Q. What are his writings ? 

A. Euclid distinguished himself by his writings 
on music and geometry : 15 books of problems 
and theorems, with demonstrations, now remain ; 
and although much mutilated by commentators, 
are still taught as the basis of mathematics. 



CHAPTER XXXIL 

Theocritus. 

Q. Who was Theocritus ? 

A. Theocritus, the son of Praxagoras and Philina, 
was a Greek poet, who nourished 282 years before 
Christ. 

Q. What species of poetry did he cultivate ? 
A. Theocritus wrote pastorals, and other small 
poems. 

4* 



42 CATECHISM OP 

Q. What is the merit of his poems ? 

A. They are easy and elegant ; but the refine- 
ment with which his shepherds converse, is more 
than is sanctioned by nature. 

Q. Has Theocritus been imitated by succeeding 
poets ? 

A. Theocritus has been imitated by Virgil in 
his Eclogues ; and, indeed, by writers of pastoral 
poetry in all ages, who have drawn from him and 
their more immediate predecessors, rather than 
from nature. 



CHAPTER XXXin. 

Epicurus. 
Q. Who was Epicurus ? 

A. Epicurus was a celebrated philosopher of 
Athens ; he studied under Xenocrates and Aris- 
totle ; and afterward founding a sect, attracted a 
great number of followers by the sweetness and 
gravity of his manner, and by his social virtues. 

Q. What were his chief doctrines ? 

A. Epicurus taught that the happiness of man 
consists in pleasure; not such as arises from 
sensual gratification, or from vice, but from the 
enjoyments of the mind, and the delights of vir- 
tue. 

Q. What character is given of him ? 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



43 



A. Epicurus was a temperate and sober man, 
contented to live on bread and water. He refuted 
all the accusations of his adversaries by the purity 
of his morals, and by his frequent attendance on 
places of public worship, 

Q. When did he die ? 

A. Epicurus, having impaired his health by 
continual labor, died in the 72d year of his age, 
about 270 years before Christ ; and his followers, 
who were numerous, rapidly disseminated his 
doctrines over all the world. 



CHAPTER XXXIY. 

Archimedes. 

Q. Who was Archimedes ? 

A, Archimedes was a famous geometrician and 
astronomer, of Syracuse, in Sicily. 

T. Mention some of his inventions. 

JP. He invented a machine of glass, to show the 
motions of the heavenly bodies ; he constructed 
machines which suddenly raised up the Roman 
ships from the bay, during the siege of Syracuse, 
and then let them fall with such violence that 
they sunk ; he also set them on fire with burning- 
glasses. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 
A. When Marcellus, the Roman general, took 
Syracuse, he gave a special charge to save Archi- 



44 



CATECHISM Oif 



medes ; he was killed, however, by a Roman sol- 
dier, who was ignorant of his character, while the 
philosopher was engaged at his studies, about the 
year 212 before Christ. 



Q. Who was Hannibal ? 

A. Hannibal was a celebrated Carthagenian gene- 
ral, son of Amilcar : he was a man of great valor 
and conduct, and well versed in all the stratagems 
of war, having been educated in his father's camp, 
and inured from his early years to the labors of 
the field. 

Q. What remarkable step did his father take to 
mark his future character ? 

A. When only nine years old, Hannibal followed 
his father into Spain, and there Amilcar made 
him swear in the most solemn manner, before an 
altar, that he would never be at friendship with 
the Romans, nor desist from opposing their power, 
until he or they should be no more. 

Q. What are his subsequent adventures ? 

A. Upon the death of his father, Hannibal was 
invested with the command of all the armies of 
Carthage, although not yet in the 25th year of 
his age ; and having resolved to carry the war into 
Italy, he crossed the Alps, and marched toward 
Rome. 



CHAPTER XXXV, 



Hannibal. 




CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



45 



Q What was his success in Italy ? 

A. He defeated the Romans in four memorable 
battles i in the last, which happened at Cannae, 
40,000 Romans were killed ; but, instead of 
marching directly to Rome, he removed his army 
to Capua, where his soldiers were enervated by the 
pleasures of that luxurious city. 

Q. Where did Hannibal next engage ? 

A. The Romans, having transferred the war to 
Carthage, Hannibal was recalled from Italy ; and 
engaging with Scipio, at Zama, suffered a signal 
defeat. 

Q. Where did he go after his defeat ? 

Ax When Hannibal saw the day was lost, he 
retired to Antiochus, King of Syria, whom he 
advised to make war upon the Romans ; but being 
conquered, he agreed to deliver up Hannibal to 
them ; upon hearing this, Hannibal fled to Pru- 
sias, King of Bithynia, whom he encouraged to 
declare war against Rome. 

Q. What occured in Bithynia ? 

A. The Romans, hearing he was in Bithynia, sent 
ambassadors to demand him of Prusias ; the king 

Note. — This expedition will Appear more surprising, when 
we consider the prodigious height and tremendous steepness 
of these mountains, capped with snow, the inhabitants bar- 
barous and fierce, dressed in skins with long and shaggy 
hair, and hostile to the Carthagenians. It was undertaken* 
too, in the depth of winter ; but nothing was capable of 
subduing the courage of Hannibal; and, at the end of 15 
days, he found himself in the plains of Italy, with about half 
his army, the other half having died of cold, or been cut 
%ff by the natives. 



46 



CATECHISM OF 



was unwilling either to betray his friend, or to 
brave the Roman power ; but Hannibal relieved 
him from his embarrassment, by taking poison, 
which he always carried with him in a ring on 
his finger. He died 182 years before Christ. 

Q. What character is given of Hannibal ? 

A. Hannibal is considered the most skilful com- 
mander of antiquity ; he was the best horseman, and 
the swiftest runner of his time ; no fatigue was 
able to subdue his body, nor any misfortune 
to break his spirits : he was equally patient of 
heat and cold, and he took sustenance merely, to 
content nature, not to delight his appetite 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Cato. 

Q. Who were the most celebrated men of this 
name ? 

A. The Romans of this name, who rendered 
themselves most illustrious, were Marcus Portius 
Cato, surnamed the Censor ; and his great-grand- 
son, surnamed Uticensis, from the place of his 
death. 

Q. What is remarkable in the life of Cato the 

Censor ? 

A. Cato the Censor rose to all the honors of the 
state, by his bravery, disinterestedness, and strict 
adherence to justice; he was honored with a 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



47 



triumph for his exploits in Spain ; and when he 
was created censor, he discharged its duties with 
so much rigor and impartiality, that the Komans 
erected him a statue even in his lifetime. 

Q. What else have you to relate of him ? 

A. Cato, by his rigid severity against luxury 
and vice, incurred great enmity ; he was accused 
44 times, but was always acquitted with increased 
honor. He wrote several books on husbandry, and 
on various subjects, and learned Greek when he 
was an old man. 

Q. What character is left of him I 

A. Cato was one of the most distinguished cha- 
racters of ancient Rome, as an orator, a lawyer, a 
general, a statesman, and a scholar ; although re- 
markable for temperance, he was fond of convivial 
meetings; and such was his reputation for justice, 
that Virgil has feigned him one of the judges of hell 

Q. Who was Cato Uticensis ? 

A. M. Porcius Cato Uticensis was the great- 
grandson of the former; and from his very infancy 
discovered a resolute, firm, and inflexible temper, 
at once spurning flattery and scorning threats. 

Note. — Lilo, an Italian nobleman, who had come to Rome 
to solicit for the allies the right of citizens, lodged at the 
house of Drusus, Cato's uncle ; and having become familiar 
with Cato and his brother Csepio, asked them one day to 
intercede with their uncle, that he would favor their cause : — 
Caepio gave a smile of consent; but Cato by his silence and 
looks intimated his refusal; upon which Lilo, snatching him 
up, carried him to the window, and threatened to throw him 
over if he would not consent, holding his body out of the 
window, and shaking him several times ; but Cato remained 
all the time unmoved and unconcerned. 



48 CATECHISM OF 

T. Relate the most remarkable adventures of 
his life ? 

P. Cato served in several campaigns with great 
reputation ; and in the civil offices which he filled, 
his integrity was so conspicuous, that it became 
proverbial : in the conspiracy of Cataline, he 
supported Cicero ; and the remaining part of his 
life was employed in unavailing efforts to oppose 
the unjust designs of those who wished to enslave 
the commonwealth. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Caesar, having became master of the Roman 
commonwealth, Cato fled to Africa, where, after 
the defeat of the republican army under Scipio, 
he shut himself up in Utica ; and having read 
Plato's Treatise on the Immortality of the Soul, 
put an end to his own life, b. c. 46. 

Q. What have you to observe of this great man? 

A. Cato was austere in his morals, and unosten- 
tatious in his dress, often appearing barefoot in 
public, and never travelling but on foot ; he was 
very jealous of the safety and liberty of the state ; 
but the Romans, sunk in luxury, and blinded by 
corruption, lent a deaf ear to all his remonstances 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



49 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Scipio. 
Q. Who was Scipio ? 

A. Scipio was a Roman general, who lived 
between the 232d and the 184th years before 
Christ. 

Q. How did he distinguish himself in early 
life? 

A. At the battle of Ticinus, Scipio's valor saved 
the life of his father. 

Q. How did Scipio afterward display his magna- 
nimity ? 

A. Some of the Romans wishing, on the defeat 
at Cannse by Hannibal, to abandon their country, 
Scipio made them swear that they would be faith- 
ful, and would put to death the first who sought 
to withdraw. 

Q. What distinction was conferred on Scipio ? 

A. When in his 21st year, Scipio was created 
3dile, though the legal age was 27. 

Q. Did Scipio continue to maintain his celeb- 
rity ? 

A. Yes : his father and uncle having fallen in 
Spain, Scipio avenged their death, expelled the 
Carthagenians, and reduced the country to the 
form of a province. The Romans still trembled at 
the progress of Hannibal ; but Scipio gave a new 
turn to the war, by recommending that it should 
be carried into the country of his adversary, whom 



50 



CATECHISM OF 



he there engaged and defeated, granting the 
Oarthagenians peace on humiliating conditions. 

Q. How was Scipio received at Rome ? 

A. Scipio obtained a splendid triumph ; and 
was honored with the surname of Africanus, 

Q. What were the circumstances of his death ? 

A. His fellow-citizens, having ungratefully for* 
gotten his services, Scipio Africanus retired from 
Rome, and died at his villa of Liternum, ordering 
that his bones should not be taken to the city. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Polybius. 
Q. Who was Polybius ? 

A. Polybius, born about 206 years before Christ, 
was the son of Lycortas, and a native of Megalo- 
polis, in Greece. 

Q. How did he employ himself in early life ? 

A. Polybius was early educated in the qualifica- 
tions of a statesman. 

Q. How did he afterward distinguish himself ? 

A. He joined Perseus, King of Macedonia, and 
distinguished himself in war against the Romans. 

Q. What was the issue of the engagements ? 

A. Perseus was at last defeated, and Polybius, 
being taken to Rome, was kept in confinement. 

Q. Did he continue long in this state ? 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



51 



A. Scipio and Fabius obtained the freedom of 
Polybius, and honored him with their friendship. 

Q. How did Polybius show his sense of Seipio's 
favor ? 

A. He accompanied him in war, and was present 
when Carthage and Numantia were taken. 

Q. How did Polybius show his love for his 
country ? 

A. By the fortune of war, his country had been 
rendered a Roman province; Polybius showed his 
patriotism by exerting his influence with powerful 
Romans, to procure mild treatment for the Greeks. 

Q. After the death of Scipio, what became of 
Polybius ? 

A. Polybius left Eome for Megalopolis, where 
he spent the remainder of his life, happy in the 
exercise of the social affections, and in the grati- 
tude of his fellow-citizens. 

Q. What did Polybius write ? 

A. Polybius wrote a history of the world, from 
the first Punic war to the conquest of Macedonia. 

Q. Does much of his history remain ? 

A. Out of 40 books, the first five are extant, with 
fragments of the next 12. 

Q. What is the chief excellence of this history ? 

A. Its knowledge of the art of war is profound; 
but besides, it contains a variety of curious and 
interesting information. 

Q What occasioned the death of Polybius ? 

A. The death of Polybius was occasioned by a 
fall from his horse. 



52 



CATECHISM OP 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Gracchi. 

Q. Who were the Gracchi ? 

A. The Gracchi were two brothers, Tiberius and 
Caius, the sons of Sempronius Graceius, who was 
twice consul of Rome, and once censor : a man 
of consummate wisdom, and endowed with every 
virtue. 

Q. What have you to observe of their youth ? 

A. The two Gracchi were educated with the 
utmost care by their mother Cornelia, a woman 
of uncommon virtue and accomplishments. Tibe- 
rius was of a mild and even temper ; but Caius 
was ardent and passionate : each was, however, 
distinguished by valor, integrity, and temperance. 

Q. What is remarkable in the life of the elder ? 

A. Tiberius Gracchus, while he served in Africa, 
exceeded all the young men of the army in regularity 
of behavior, as well as courage : at the taking of 
Carthage, he was the first who mounted the wall. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. The nobility having, in a great measure en- 
grossed the property of land, Tiberius, being 
created tribune of the people, resolved to correct 
this abuse; and with persuasive eloquence and 
uncommon popularity, he revived the Licinian 
law, which directed that no one should possess 
more than 500 acres of land ; but in consequence 
of this he drew on himself the hatred of the 
nobles, who cut him off in a tumult of the people 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



53 



Q. What was the behavior of Caius, upon the 
murder of his brother ? 

A. Caius Gracchus, for several years after his 
brother's death, lived in retitement, applying him- 
self to the study of eloquence, which was the 
surest way of acquiring influence. 

Q, What were his subsequent actions ? 

A. Caius afterward served as qusetor in Sicily ; 
and upon his return, being elected tribune, he got 
several laws enacted to increase the authority of 
the people, and lessen that of the senate. 

Q. How did he die ? 

A. While Gracchus gained the favor of the peo- 
ple, his virtues and abilities excited the resent- 
ment of the nobility, who soon after proposed the 
repeal of all his laws. This attempt caused great 
commotion in the city ; the consul Opimius, being 
armed with absolute power, Gracchus ordered his 
slave to dispatch him, that he might not fall into 
the hands of his enemies, 121 years before Christ. 



CHAPTER XL. 

Marius. 
Q. Who was Marius ? 

A, Marius being first a ploughman, then a com- 
mon soldier, rose through the different oflices of 
Rome to the highest point of greatness, being seven 
times consul. 

5* 



54 



CATECHISM OF 



Q. What were his most remarkable exploits ? 

A. Marius triumphed over Jugurtha, and added 
Numidia to the Roman dominions. Immediately 
after, he defeated the Teuton es, with the loss of 
200,000 men ) and the following year, 140,000 
Cimbri were slaughtered by the army, under 
Marius, who now entered Rome in triumph. 

Q. What was his subsequent conduct ? 

A. After his triumph, Marius was elected consul 
a sixth time, when he began to raise seditions, 
and to envy the power of Sylla. This emulation 
brought on a civil war, and Marius was compelled 
to save himself by flight. 

Q. What circumstance preceded his death ? 

A. Marius, at length, hearing in Africa that his 
party, with Cinna the consul at their head, had 
regained the ascendency, returned to Rome like 
a conquerer, and with the most horrid cruelty put 
all his enemies to the sword, without regard to 
age, dignity, or former services. He died a month 
after, in the 70th year of his age, 86 years before 
Christ. 

Q. What character is given of him ? 

A. Marius raised himself by his military talents 

Note. — Marius, after escaping many dangers, was at las4 
obliged to plunge into a muddy part of the lake Minturnae, 
to conceal himself; but being dragged thence, he was put 
in prison, and a Gaul was sent by the magistrates of Min- 
turnse to kill him. Marius seeing the Gaul approach, called 
out, " Fellow ! dare you kill Caius Marius V* The Gaul, 
struck with terror at the sparkling of Marius* eyes, and the 
tremendous sound of his voice, dropped his sword, and ran 
out, crying that he could not kill Marius. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



55 



alone, without the assistance of learning : he was 
crafty, cruel, and perfidious ; but he was endowed 
with incomparable strength and undaunted bravery, 
which enabled him to become the saviour, and 
afterward the enslaver of his country. 



CHAPTER XLL 

Sylla. 

Q. Who was Sylla ? 

A. L. Cornelius Sylla was a celebrated Roman, 
of a noble family, who served as lieutenant under 
Marius, but afterward excited his jealousy and 
enmity by his superior abilities. 

T. Relate the most remarkable of his exploits ( 

P. Marius, having disputed with Sylla the direc- 
tion of the Mithridatic War, the latter entered 
Rome sword in hand, slaughtered all his enemies, 
and, obliging Marius to flee for his life, marched 
toward Asia : he rendered himself master of 
Greece, and hearing that the party of Marius 
were again masters of Rome, he marched his 
army to the city. 

Q. What was his conduct in Rome ? 

A. Sylla, having completely subdued his domes- 
tic enemies, entered Rome like a tyrant and con- 
queror, and gratified his revenge with unexampled 
cruelty : he caused himself to be made perpetual 
dictator; and after he had ruled with absolute 
authority for three years, he resigned his power, 



56 CATECHISM OF 

and retired to a solitary retreat, where he died 
78 years before Christ. 

Q. What character is given of him ? 

A* The character of Sylla is that of an ambitious, 
resolute, tyrannical, and debauched commander, 
who was more indebted to fortune than to valor 
for his great fame. He patronized the arts and 
sciences, and brought a famous library from Athens 
to Rome. 



CHAPTER XLII. 

Pompey. 
Q* Who was Pompey ? 

A. Cneus Pompey was a valiant and successful 
commander of the Roman people, who acquired 
the surname of Magnus, or the Great, from the 
greatness of his victories. 

T. Relate his early exploits. 

P. Pompey early distinguished himself m the 
field ; and in the civil wars of Marius and Sylla, 
he sided with the latter, and contributed greatly 
to his success, by regaining in 40 days Sicily and 
Africa, which had embraced the cause of Marius, 

Q. What were his subsequent achievements ? 

A, After the death of Sylla, Pompey defeated 
the remains of the Marian faction in Spain, under 
Sertorius; and soon after being made consul, he 
extirpated the pirates that infested the Mediter- 
ranean Sea. On his return he was sent against 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



57 



Mithridates, and finished the war with great glory, 
having added to the empire three powerful king- 
doms, — Pontus, Syria, and Bithynia. y. 

Q. What was his reception at Rome ? 

A. The Romans dreaded the approach of Pom- 
pey, lest he should subvert their liberties ; but he 
disbanded his army, and returning to Rome as a 
private citizen, was joyfully received and honored 
with a splendid triumph. It would have been 
happy for himself and for his country, if he had 
died at this time, in the height of his fame and 
fortunes. 

jp. Briefly describe the rest of his adventures. 

jP. Pompey formed a combination with Caesar 
and Crassus, for the division of provinces ; but 
the latter dying, a civil war ensued, in which 
Pompey was defeated at Pharsalia, and afterward 
slain in his flight to Egypt, in the 59th year of 
his age, 48 years before Christ. 

Q. What character is given of him ? 

A. The character of Pompey is that of an in- 
triguing and artful general, but without sufficient 
boldness to make himself master of his country : 
he had a dignity in his aspect, mixed with gentle- 
ness, which commanded respect; and his death 
is a striking instance of the instability of human 
greatness. 



58 



CATECHISM OP 



CHAPTER XLIIL 

Julius Ccesar. 

Q. Who was Julius Caesar? 

A. Julius Caesar was the son of Caius Caesai, 
who was descended from Julius the son of iEneas. 
In the 16th year of his age, Caesar lost his father ) 
and Sylla, aware of his ambition, endeavored to 
remove him ; but his friends obtained his life : 
but Sylla warned them to be upon their guard 
against that loose-girt boy ; " for in him/' said 
he, " is many a Marius." 

Q. What were his subsequent adventures ? 

A. Caesar procured many friends by his eloquen ce, 
and obtained the office of high-priest. After 
passing though different dignities, he was sent 
governor into Spain ; and upon his return, being 
elected consul, he entered into an agreement with 
Pompey and Crassus, that nothing should be done 
in the state without their joint concurrence. 

Q. What appointment succeeded his consulship ? 

A. Caesar, after his consulship, had the province 
of Graul assigned him; which, with wonderful 
conduct and bravery, he subdued in 10 years, 
carrying the terror of his arms also into Germany 
and Britain, till then unknown to the Romans. 

Q. What may be observed of his wars ? 

A. Caesar is said to have taken 800 towns, sub^ 
dued 300 states, and to have engaged 3,000,000 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 59 

of men in different battles, of whom 1,000,000 
were slain. 

Q. What wars followed his conquest of Gaul ? 

A. Pompey now became jealous of Caesar's power, 
and induced the senate to order him to lay down 
his command ; upon which Caesar crossed the 
Rubicon, the boundary of his province, and led 
his army toward Rome, Pompey and all the friends 
of liberty fleeing before him. 

Q. What followed this declaration of civil war ? 

A. Caesar, having subdued Italy in sixty days, 
entered Rome, and seized upon the money in the 
public treasury. He then went to Spain, where 
he conquered the partizans of Pompey under 
Petrius, Airanius, and Varro ; and, at his return, 
was created dictator, and soon after consul. 

Q. Where was the decisive battle fought? 

A. Caesar left Rome, and going in search of 
Pompey, the two hostile generals engaged on the 
plains of Pharsalia. The army of the former 
amounted only to 22,000 men, while that of Pom- 
pey amounted to 45,000 : but the superior gene- x 
ralship of Caesar prevailed, and he was victorious. 

Q. Where did Caesar go after his victory ? 

A. Caesar, making a generous use of his victory, 
followed Pompey into Egypt, where he heard of 
his murder ; and making the country tributary to 
his power, he hastened to suppress the remainder 
of Pompey's party in Africa and Spain. 

Q. What was his reception at Rome ? 

A. Triumphing over all his enemies, Caesar was 
created perpetual dictator, received the names of 



60 



CATECHISM OF 



iniperator and father of his country, and governed 
the people with justice, 

Q. What was the cause of his death ? 

A. Caesar's engrossing all the powers of the state, 
and ruling with absolute authority, created general 
disgust ; a conspiracy was therefore formed against 
him by more than 60 senators, the chief of whom 
were Brutus and Cassius. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Caesar was stabbed in the senate-house, on 
the 15th of March, 44 years before Christ, in the 
56th year of his age. He at first attempted to 
make some resistance; but seeing Brutus, his. 
intimate friend, among the conspirators, he sub- 
mitted to his fate, and, covered with 23 wounds, 
fell at the foot of Pompey's statue. 

Q. Was Caesar remarkable for his learning ? 

A. The learning of Caesar deserves commenda- 
tion as highly as his military character. His 
memoirs, or commentaries of his wars, are admired 
for the elegance, as well as correctness of his 
style. He spoke with the same spirit with which 
he fought; and had he devoted himself to the bar, 
he would have been the only man capable of rival- 
ing Cicero. 

Q. What character is given of Julius Caesar ? 

A. Julius Caesar is perhaps the most distin- 
guished character in history : he possessed very 
uncommon abilities, and could employ at the same 
time his ears to listen, his eyes to read, his hand 
to write, and his mind to dictate. After his death, 
he was ranked among the gods. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



61 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

Roscius, 
Q, Who was Roscius ? 

A. Roscius, a native of Lanuvium, was a dis- 
tinguished Roman actor. 

Q. Does he with propriety obtain a place in a 
classical biography ? 

A. The stage is of a lower order than war or 
government, rhetoric, poetry, or science; but 
talents of every kind merit respect ; and, where 
they are of the highest degree in their kind, it is 
lit that their possessor should be honorably re- 
corded. 

Q. Had Roscius all advantages of nature ? 

A. His eyes, on which so much in the histrionic 
art depends, were distorted ; but his voice and his 
general power were commanding. 

Q. Was Roscius distinguished by more than his 
skill on the stage ? 

A. Roscius wrote a treatise, comparing, with 
much ability, the professions of the orator and 
comedian. 

Q. What testimony is still given to the merit of 
Rocius ? 

A. Celebrated players, in all ages, have been 
called by his name : thus, Garrack is called the 
British Roscius. 



6 



62 



CATECHISM 01 



CHAPTER XLV. 

Cicero. 
Q. Who was Cicero ? 

A. Marcus Tullius Cicero, the father of Latin 
eloquence, and the greatest of Roman orators, was 
the son of a Roman knight; and having displayed 
promising abilities, his father procured for bim 
the most celebrated masters of his time. 

Q. What were his first pursuits ? 

A. Cicero served one campaign under Sylla ; 
and, returning to Rome, appeared as a pleader 
at the bar, where the greatness of his genius and 
his superior eloquence soon raised him to notice. 
After he had passed through the lower honors of 
the state, he was made consul in his 43d year, the 
age required by law for filling that office. 

Q. What remarkable occurrence distinguished 
his consulship ? 

A. Catiline, a profligate noble, with many disso- 
lute and desperate Romans, conspired against 
their country; but all their projects were baffled 
by the extreme vigilance of Cicero. Catiline was 
defeated in battle ; and Cicero, at Rome, punished 
the rest of the conspirators with death. 

Q. What were the consequences of the services 
he rendered his country ? 

A. Cicero received the thanks of the people, and 
was styled the father of his country, and the second 
founder of Rome; but his refusal to agree to the 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



arbitrary measures of Caesar and Pompey, caused 
him vo De exiled. He did not bear his banishment 
with fortitude ; and was overjoyed when, after 16 
months absence, he was restored with honor to his 
country. 

Q. What part did Cicero take in the civil wars 
of Pompey and Caesar ? 

A. After much hesitation, Cicero espoused the 
cause of Pompey against Caesar ; and when the 
latter was victorious at Pharsalia, Cicero was recon- 
ciled to him, and treated with great humanity; 
but as a true republican, he approved of Caesar's 
murder, and thus incurred tbe hatred of Antony, 
who wished to succeed in power. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, having 
formed a third triumvirate, agreed on a proscrip- 
tion of their enemies : for two days Octavius 
endeavored to preserve Cicero from the vengeance 
of Antony, but at last gave him up ; and Cicero, 
in his attempt to escape, was overtaken by a party 
of soldiers, who cut of his head and right hand, 
and brought them to Antony. This happened 
in the 64th year of his age, and 43 years before 
Christ. 

Q. What observations have you to make on this 
celebrated man ? 

A. Cicero is admired not only as a great states- 
man, but as an orator, a man of genius, and a 
scholar, in which united characters he stands un- 
rivalled. 



64 



CATECHISM OF 



CHAPTER XLVI. 
Sallust. 
Q. Who was Sallust ? 

A. Sallust, a Roman of rank, was bom at Ami 
ternum, about 86 years before Christ. 

Q. What was the character of Sallust ? 

A. In his private character, Sallust was extrava 
gant and dissipated \ in his public, tyrannical. Ho 
was governor of Numidia, which he plundered. 

Q. What were his writings ? 

A. Sallust wrote several works, one of them 
being a history of Rome; of this only a few 
fragments have been preserved. His account of 
the conspiracy of Catiline, and that of the war 
with Jugurtha, King of Numidia, remain. 

Q. What is the character of his writings ? 

A. They are animated and lofty, discovering ar 
acquaintance with human nature, and indignaof 
against vice. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 

Marcus Junius Brutus. 

Q. Who was Marcus Junius Brutus ? 

A. Marcus Junius Brutus was a lineal descen- 
dant of that Brutus who expelled the Tarquins 
from Rome. He seemed to inherit the republi- 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



65 



can principles of his great progenitor, which, 
together with his talents and virtues, procured 
him universal esteem. 

Q. What part did he take in the civil wars ? 

A. In the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, 
Brutus joined the latter, although his father's 
murderer, because he thought his views less dan- 
gerous to the liberties of his country; but after 
the battle of Pharsalia, Caesar not only spared the 
life of Brutus, but instantly received him into 
favor. 

Q. What were his subsequent actions ? 

A. The favors of Caesar could not gain the 
friendship of Brutus, who saw the liberties of his 
country oppressed ; he therefore readily entered 
into a conspiracy to cut off the usurper; and when 
Caesar was attacked in the senate-house, on seeing 
Brutus rushing on him, he covered his face with 
his robe, and submitted to his fate. 

Q, What were the consequences of this action ? 

A. Upon the death of Caesar, the commonwealth 
might have been restored, but the inactivity of 
Brutus and his party ruined their cause ; by al- 
lowing Antony to gain the superiority, they were 
obliged to leave Rome ; and retiring into Greece, 
they were followed thither by Antony, accom- 
panied by young Octavias, Caesar's nephew. 

Q. What was the issue of the war ? 

A. Brutus came to a decisive engagment with 
Antony and Octavius on the plains of Philippi ; 
where he commanded in person, he bore down 
every thing before him ; but his left wing, com- 

6* 



66 



CATECHISM OF 



nianded by Cassius, was defeated ; the next day 
after an obstinate conflict, the republican army 
was entirely defeated. 

T. Relate the manner of his death. 

P. Brutus being surrounded on all sides, and 
disdaining to fall into the hands of his despotic 
enemies, took each of his friends by the hand, 
and addressed them with a cheerful countenance, 
exhorted them to provide for their safety ; then 
withdrawing with two or three of his particular 
confidents, he fell on his sword, and expired, 43 
years before Christ. 

Q. What character is left us of Marcus Junius 
Brutus ? 

A. All writers agree in extolling the virtues of 
Brutus, and in celebrating his literary talents no 
less than his valor in the field ; he was fond of 
imitating the austere virtues of Cato : and in 
reading the histories of nations, he imbibed those 
principles of freedom which were so eminently 
displayed in his political career. 

Note. — Cassius, the colleague of Brutus, ignorant of the 
success of the right wing, ordered his freedmen to kill him ; 
Brutus lamenting over the fate of Cassius, called him the 
last of the Romans ; and heing left sole commander of the 
army, renewed the combat as is mentioned in the text 

Note.— The friends of Caesar charged Brutus and his 
associates with base ingratitude, for killing their benefactor ; 
but Cicero and the republican party applauded them, for 
having preferred the liberty of their country to the obliga- 
tions of private friendship. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



67 



CHAPTER XL VIII. 

Antony. 
Q. Who was Antony ? 

A Antony was a noble Roman, who made him- 
self conspicuous in the civil wars, which distracted 
his country ) in his youth he was remarkable for 
his comeliness and strength, which he increased 
by travel and warlike exercises. 

T. Relate the adventures of his early life. 

P. Returning from his travels with the acquisi- 
tion of an uncommon eloquence, he served as 
Caesar's lieutenant in Gaul, and in that station 
gave proofs of extraordinary courage and bravery, 
he afterwards filled the offices of augur and tri- 
bune of the people, and distinguished himself by 
his ambitious views. 

Q. What part did Antoriy take in the civil 
wars ? 

A. When Rome was torn by the factions of 
Caesar and Pompey, Antony privately retired from 
the city to Caesar's camp, and advised him to 
march to Rome, took the command of the left 
wing, at Pharsalia, and according to a premedi- 
tated scheme, offered him a diadem in presence of 
the Roman people. 

Q. What were his subsequent actions ? 

A. When Caesar was assassinated, Antony pro- 
nounced an oration over his body ) and, soon after 
laying aside the mask of moderation, used every 



68 



CATECHISM OF 



means to increase his own power ) he was declared 
an enemy to the republic, and was defeated by 
the consuls Hirtius and Pansa ; but coalescing 
with Augustus and Lepidus, the triumvirate over- 
came ths republican army, and divided the Roman 
empire among themselves. 

Q. Did he long enjoy his power ? 

A. Antony divorced is wife Octavia, the sister 
of Augustus, to marry Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt ; 
this brought on a quarrel between the triumviri, 
which was decided by a sea-fight at Actium, where 
Antony was defeated. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Antony, finding himself betrayed by Cleo- 
patra, ordered Eros his freedman to slay him ; but 
Eros, instead of complying, slew himself ; Antony, 
struck with this proof of attachment, and desir- 
ing to imitate the deed, stabbed himself in the 
breast, and expired in the 56th year of his age, 
30 years before Christ. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

Augustus. 
Q. Who was Augustus ? 

A. Augustus was the son of Octavius, a senator, 

Note. — His original name was Caius Octavius ; and tha 
honorable appellation of Augustus was given him by the 
submissive servility of the Roman senate, after he had 
made himself master of their liberties. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



69 



and the nephew of Julius Caesar, who adopted 
him, and appointed him his heir. 

Q. What was his conduct upon Caesar's death ? 

A Augustus, although but 18 years old when 
his uncle was "murdered, hastened to Rome, and 
by his hypocrisy ingratiated himself with the 
senate and people ; he at first sided with the re- 
publicans, but finding himself at the head of a 
large army, his ambition prompted him to form a 
triumvirate with Antony and Lepidus. 

Q. What were his actions in this capacity ? 

A. Augustus set out with Antony against Bru- 
tus and Cassius, and came up with the republican 
army at Philippi; Augustus being indisposed, 
the forces of the triumviri were commanded by 
Antony alone, who gained a complete victory ) the 
conquerors made a cruel use of their victory, put- 
ting to death almost every person of rank that 
fell into their power. 

Q. Where did Augustus go after the battle ? 

A. Augustus returned with the troops to Italy, 
to distribute among the veterans the lands which 
had been promised them; and in order to do this, 
he turned out without mercy, multitudes of hus- 
bandmen and shepherds, and among others the 
poet Virgil. 

Q. What circumstances contributed to make him 
master of Koine ? 

A, Augustus having removed all his enemies by 
his numerous proscriptions, ? on a slight pretence 
deprived Lepidus of his command ; and quarrel- 



70 



CATECHISM OF 



ling with Anthony, completely defeated him at 
Actium, and thus became master of the Roman 
world. 

Q. What were the consequences of this victory? 

A. From the battle of Actium may be computed 
the imperial reign of Augustus \ and, returning 
to Rome in triumph, he attempted by magnificent 
shows, to obliterate the impression of his former 
cruelty, and to reconcile the citizens to his govern- 
ment. 

Q. What success did he meet with in his endea- 
vors ? 

A. The senate behaved to him with the meanest 
servility ; they called him Father of his country, 
Emperor, and Augustus ; the neighboring nations 
also made their submission, and courted his al- 
liance. 

T. Describe the subsequent part of his reign. 

P. Augustus proved an active emperor ; he re- 
stored peace and order to the state, and made the 
best regulations for promoting its prosperity; after 
visiting the provinces, he twice pretended a strong 
desire to resign the supreme power, and appeared 
to yield reluctantly to the senators, who conjured 
him to retain it. 

Q. For what is his reign remarkable ? 

A. It is remarkable for the birth of our Savioi*~, 
J esus Christ. 

Q. When did he die? 

A. Augustus died in the 76th year of his age, 
A. D. 14, after he had held the supreme power 44 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY 



71 



~ears ; during which time, he managed affairs with 
so much address, and established his authority so 
firmly, that the Romans were never afterward able 
*o recover their liberty. 



CHAPTER L. 

Virgil. 
Q. Who was Virgil ? 

A. Yirgil was an excellent writer, called the 
prince of Latin poets ; he was born at Andes, a 
village near Mantua, about 70 years before Christ. 

Q. What was the first remarkable circumstance 
recorded of him ? 

A. Having lost his farms in the distribution of 
land to the soldiers of Augustus, after the battle 
of Philippi, he repaired to Rome, where he ob- 
tained his request through the interest of Me- 
csenas. 

Q. What was the consequence of this favor ? 

A. When Virgil showed the order for the resti- 
tution of his property, he was nearly killed by the 
centurion, who was in possession,, and escaped only 
by swimming across a river. 

Q. What are his works, and what were the causes 
of their being written ? 

A. Virgil, in his Bucolics, or pastorals, celebrates 
the praises of his illustrious patrons ; he under- 
took his GeoryicSj in order to promote the study 



72 



CATECHISM OF 



of agriculture; and the design of the JEneid, is 
thought to have been to reconcile the Romans to 
a monarchial government. 

Q. What else have you to relate of him ? 

A. Virgil, by his talents and virtues, acquired 
the friendship of the emperor Augustus, and of 
the most celebrated personages of his time. He 
died at Brundusium, in the 51st year of his age, 
19 years before the Christian era, leaving his im- 
mense possessions to his friends, and was buried 
in the neighborhood of Naples, where his tomb is 
still to be seen. 

Q. What character is given of his poems ? 

A. The works of Virgil were written with grace- 
ful simplicity, with elegance, delicacy of senti- 
ment, and purity of language; but their distin- 
guishing characteristic is judgment. His iEneid 
is a work of great merit, and inferior only to the 
poems of Homer, from which it is chiefly copied. 

Note. — Virgil employed twelve years in the composition 
of the JEneidy but died before he had revised his immortal 
work. In his last will he ordered it to be burnt, but this 
was not permitted ; and Augustus ordered two of the poetfa 
friends to revise ?nd expungs whatever tb#/ thought im- 
proper, but thej were strictly forbidden v : jirf&e *nj ad- 
ditions. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



73 



CHAPTER LI. 

Horace, 
Q. Who was Horace ? 

A. Quintus Horatius Flaccus was a celebrated 
fjatin poet, born at Venusia : his father, although 
poor, took him to Rome when a boy, and educated 
him with great care. 

Q. What were his subsequent actions ? 

A. At the age of twenty, Horace went to Athens 
to study philosophy, and then, with the rank of 
military tribune attended Brutus to the civil wars. 
In the battle of Philippi he saved himself by 
flight, and returned to Rome. 

Q. What is related of Horace after his return ? 

A. Horace finding his father dead, and his for- 
ture ruined, applied himself to writing verses ; 
and his talents soon recommended him to the pro- 
tection of Virgil, Meeaenas, and Augustus, with 
whom he afterward lived on terms of the greatest 
intimacy and friendship. 

T. Describe his death and character 

P. Horace died in the 57th year of his age, and 
8 years before Christ ; some suppose by his own 
hand, in order to follow his friend and patron 
Meeaenas, who died three weeks before. Horace 
was warm in his friendship, and his gayety was 
suitable to the liveliness and dissipation of a 
court. 

Q. What are his writings ? 

7 



74 



CATECHISM OF 



A, Horace has written Odes, remarkable for 
the ease and melody of their expressions, and for 
the pleasing variety of their numbers. In his 
Epistles and Satires, he displays much art and 
much satirical humor ; in his Art of Poetry, he 
has shown great judgment and taste. 



CHAPTER LII. 

Livy 

Q. Who was Livy ? 

A. Livy was a native of Padua, and was born 
about 50 years before the birth of our Saviour. 

Q. Where did he chiefly live ? 

A. Livy resided chiefly at Naples and Rome, 
great part of his life being spent at court, as 
Augustus was a liberal patron of literature. 

Q. By what works is Livy distinguished ? 

A. He wrote several works; but his fame de- 
pends on his History of Rome, extending from 
the foundation of the city to his own time. 

Q. Is the whole of his history extant ? 

A, The greater part is lost; of what remains, 
some has been found by the researches of the 
moderns; and it is not improbable, that among 
the ruins of subterranean cities, or in other places, 
more will yet be discovered. 

Q. Has the history of Livy great merit ? 

A. It has : it is a' clear and lively narrative of 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



75 



an interesting series of actions ; it contains some 
absurd prodigies ; but they are stated as agreeable 
to the tradition and belief of his countrymen, and 
they are such as we find in the ancients in general. 

Q. What opinion should be entertained of the 
Bpeeches ascribed by Livy and other writers to 
the leaders of armies and assemblies ? 

A. Such speeches are to be regarded as ingenious 
fabrications ; copies were not furnished by repor- 
ters to be committed to books as a record of what 
actually had happened; and the chief object in 
composing harangues, was to make them corres- 
pond with the character of the speaker. 

Q. Where and when did Livy die ? 

A. In his 67th year, Livy died at Padua, the 
place of his birth. 



CHAPTER Lin. 

Ovid. 

Q. Who was Ovid ? 

A. Ovid was a Eoman poet, born 43 years be- 
fore Christ. 

Q. For what profession did his father design 
him ? 

A. He was designed for the profession of law 
and oratory. 
Q. Did Ovid make progress in his study ? 
A. Ovid made great progress ; but he did not 



76 



CATECHISM OF 



apply with that exclusive diligence which was 
necessary to fulfil the expectations of his father * 
nothing could prevent Ovid from making poetry 
his chief care. 

Q. Did he enjoy the favor of the great and 
learned ? 

A. The most distinguished writers of the ago 
were Ovid's friends ; and he was favored by the 
emperor Augustus. 

Q. Did the favor of the emperor continue ? 

A. On some disgust, the cause of which is not 
correctly known, Ovid was banished to the Euxine 
Sea ; where, after seven or eight years, he died in 
his 59 th year. 

Q. Did he compose many poems ? 

A. Ovid composed a variety of poems ; but the 
most celebrated are the 15 books of Metamor- 
phoses ; — those changes which according to the an- 
cient Mythology, beings have undergone ; among 
the most affecting passages, is that of Pyramus and 
Thisbe, more tender than prosperous in their 
lives 



CHAPTER LIV. 

Cornelius Nepos. 

Q. Who was Cornelius Nepos ? 
A. Cornelius Nepos was a Latin author of the 
Augustan age. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



77 



Q. Whose favor and intimacy did he enjoy ? 

A. Besides the notice of the great, and the inti- 
macy of Cicero and Atticus, Nepos obtained the 
patronage of the emperor Augustus. 

Q. What did Nepos write ? 

A. Nepos is said to have written three books of 
Chronicles, and a biography of all the most cele- 
brated characters that had lived before his time ; 
but these works are lost ; what remains is an ac- 
count of a few illustrious Greeks and Romans. 

Q. What is the plan of this work ? 

A. The lives of Nepos do not give a full detail ; 
their object is rather by a few striking events, to 
illustrate the character. 

Q. In what style are the lives written ? 

A. The style is clear and delicately correct. 



CHAPTER LV. 

PJicedruSi 
Q. Who was Phaedrus ? 

A. Phaedrus was a Greek by birth, but a Latin 
author. 

Q. What condition did he hold at Rome ? 

A. Phaedrus was a slave to Augustus, who 
granted him liberty. 

Q. What work did Phaedrus produce ? 

A. In the reign of Augustus, Phaedrus produced 
five books of fables in pure and elegant verse. 

Q. Are these fables original ? 



78 



CATECHISM OF 



A. The fables of Phaedrus are taken from those 
of iEsop, which, indeed, have served as the 
groundwork to fabulists in all ages. 

Q. What circumstance produced for Phaedrus 
the dislike of the minister Sejanus ? 

A. Sejanus, conscious of guilt, supposed that 
the enconiums paid to virtue, in the fables, were 
satires on himself. 



CHAPTER LVI. 

Germanicus. 

Q. Who was Germanicus ? 

A. Germanicus was the son of Drusus, and the 
nephew of the emperor Tiberius; when very 
young, he was entrusted with the command of 
the army on the Rhine, consisting of eight legions, 
among whom his uncommon merit made him al- 
most idolized. 

T. Relate the principal actions of his life. 

P. When, upon the death of Augustus, the 
soldiers of Germanicus wished to make him em- 
peror, he refused; and having quelled the sedi* 
tion, he led his army against the Germans, whom 
he overthrew in several battles, subduing many 
wild and extensive countries. 

Q. What were the consequences of this noble 
conduct ? 

A. Tiberius distressed at his superior popularity 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY* 79 

recalled him to enjoy a triumph ; but he was soon 
after sent into the East, his virtue having ren- 
dered him odious to the emperor. 
Q. How did he die ? 

A Gcrmanicus, in his 34th year, died by poison 



CHAPTER LVH. 
Lucan. 
Q. Who was Lucan ? 

A. Lucan was a native of Corduba, in Spain, 
who lived between the 39th and 65th years after 
Christ. 

Q. Did he reside a considerable time in Rome ? 

A. He removed early to Rome, and continued 
there under the patronage of Nero, to whom his 
talents, and perhaps still more, his flattery recom- 
mended him. 

Q. What marks did Lucan receive of the empe- 
ror's regard. 

A. In addition to the intimacy of Nero, Lucan 
obtained though under the legal age, the offices of 
augur and quaestor. 

Note.— Germanicus was met many miles from the city* 
by vast multitudes, who received him with marks of adora- 
tion rather than respect. The gracefulness of his person, 
his triumphal chariot, in which were carried his five children, 
and the recaptured standards of the former armies, threw 
the people into a phrenzy of joy and admiration. 



80 



CATECHISM OF 



Q. What circumstance make him lose the empe- 
ror's favor ? 

A. Lucan engaging in a political contest with 
Nero, obtained the victory ; the mortification of 
defeat Nero did not forgive ; and a series of in- 
dignities succeeding to marks of honor, Lucan en- 
gaged in a conspiracy against the emperor which 
was detected. 

Q. What followed the discovery ? 

A. Lucan was condemned, being allowed only 
the choice of the manner of death; his veins 
were opened in a warm bath, and he expired. 

Q. What did he write ? 

A. Lucan composed several books ; but only the 
poem of Pharsalia is extant. 

Q. What is the subject of this poem, and what 
is its merits ? 

A. Pharsalia is an account of the contest be- 
tween Caesar and Pompey; it is an animated 
though irregular composition. 



CHAPTER LVIIL 

Tacitus. 
Q. Who was Tacitus ? 

A. Tacitus was a Roman of rank and learning. 

Q. What dignity did he attain ? 

A. Tacitus held the office of consul. 

Q. By what attainments was he distinguished t 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



81 



A. Tacitus was distinguished as an orator and 
historian. 

Q. What historical pieces did he compose ? 

A. Tacitus composed a treatise on the manners 
of the Germans, the life of Agricola, the history 
of the Romish emperors and annals. Part of his 
writings is lost. 

Q. What is the character of the works of Taci- 
tus ? 

A. The style of Tacitus is vivid, and the sub- 
stance profound ; he excels in delineating events 
and characters, by a few striking touches. 

Q. Are his writings favorable to virtue ? 

A. Though living under a despotic government, 
Tacitus shows himself a friend to liberty, to truth, 
and to man. 

Q. What was his private character ? 

A. The private character of Tacitus correspond- 
ed to the spirit of his writings; he conciliated 
general esteem by upright, prudent, and honora- 
ble conduct 



CHAPTER LIX. 
Juvenal. 
Q. Who was Juvenal ? 

A. Juvenal, a native of Aquinum, in Italy, wa3 
a poet who flourished about 100 years after Christ. 

Q. What species of poetry did Juvenal culti- 
vate? 



82 CATECHISM OP 

A. The poetry which Juvenal cultivated, was 
satire, directed against the follies and vices of the 
age. 

Q. To what did this manner of writing expose 
him ? 

A. When in his 80th year, Juvenal was, on pre- 
tence of doing him honor, sent to the borders of 
Egypt as governor, and suffered considerably from 
the labor attached to this office. 

Q. What is the character of J evenal's satires ? 

A. Juvenal's manner is bold and animated ; he 
does not spare vice : but instead of the gentle 
earnestness that wins, there is much of that acri- 
mony, which is calculated to irritate. 

Q. What is the best of the satires ? 

A, The 10th is, perhaps considerably superior 
to any other of Juvenal's satires ; not confined to 
his own time, he produces in it a wide range of 
examples, to show that the advantages of nature 
and fortune afford no security against the direst 
calamities. This poem has, in vivid coloring, 
been imitated by Johnson, in his Vanity of Human 
Wishes, and adapted to modern society. 



CHAPTER LX. 
Plutarch. 
Q, Who was Plutarch? 

A, Plutarch, a learned Greek, was a native of 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



83 



Chseronea, who flourished upwards of 100 years 
after Christ. 

Q. What advantages for the cultivation of his 
powers did he enjoy in his youth ? 

A. Descended of intelligent ancestors, he was 
sent, while young, to Delphi, and instructed by 
Ammonius in philosophy and mathematics. 

Q. How did Plutarch afterward promote his im- 
provement ? 

A. To enlarge his acquaintance with human na- 
ture, and to learn more accurately than by descrip- 
tion, the institutions and attainments of different 
nations, Plutarch travelled, and then returning to 
Rome, opened a school to communicate the infor- 
mation he had acquired. 

Q. What other means of cultivation did Plutarch 
use ? 

A. Plutarch carried a common-place book, in 
which he noted such remarks of importance as 
occurred in the course of conversation. 

Q What testimony was given of his talents ? 

A. So honorable was the opinion entertained of 
Plutarch, that he was appointed, by the emperor 
Trajan, consul and governor of Illyricum. 

Q. After the death of Trajan, what became of 
Plutarch ? 

A. Plutarch returned to his native town, where 
he lived happy, studius, and respected. 

Q. What is his principal work ? 

A. Plutarch's principal work is the lives of illus- 
trious men, who figured as warriors, statesmen, or 
scholars — an in s tractive and animated composition. 



84 



CATECHISM OF 



Q. Did Plutarch write any other works ? 

A. Plutarch wrote moral treatises; not, how- 
ever, equal to the lives, but containing many 
sound and useful counsels. 



CHAPTER LXL 

Seneca. 
Q. Who was Seneca ? 

A. Seneca, the son of L. Anneus Seneca, a na-* 
tive of Corduba in Spain, was a celebrated writer 
and moralist, who lived between the 12th and 65th 
years of the Christian era. 

Q. What was the employment of Seneca ? 

A. Seneca was a pleader until the fear of Cali- 
gula deterred him from his study. He was after- 
ward made quaestor, but the aspersions thrown 
upon him induced him to leave Rome, and the 
emperor banished him for some time into Corsica. 

Q. Who recalled him from Corsica, and what 
was his next employment ? 

A. Seneca was recalled from Corsica by Agrip- 
pina, to conduct the education of her son Nero, 
who was destined to succeed to the empire. 

Q. How did he succeed in this employment ? 

A. In the honorable duty of preceptor to Nero, 
Seneca gained applause, and so long as Nero fol- 
lowed his advice Rome enjoyed tranquility. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



85 



Q. What was Nero's treatment afterward of 
Seneca ? 

A. From a suspicion that Seneca was concerned in 
the conspiracy of Piso, Nero ordered him to destroy 
himself. Seneca received the message with philoso- 
phic firmness, while at table with his wife and friends, 

Q. In what mode did Seneca submit to the 
order of Nero ? 

A. Seneca suffered his veins to be opened that 
he might bleed to death, but bleeding slowly, to 
accelerate his death, drank a dose of poison, but 
without effect; he was then carried into a hot 
bath, but this still being ineffectual, he was finally 
suffocated by the steam. 

Q. What can be said of the writings of Seneca? 

A. His writings are numerous, and principally 
on moral subjects. He is admired for the refine- "7 
ment of his sentiments and the virtue of his pre- 
cepts. His style is nervous, and seems well suited 
to the age in which he lived. 



CHAPTER LXEL 

Josephus, 
Q Who was Josephus ? 

A. Josephus, the celebrated Jewish historian, 
supported a vigorous siege for a considerable time 
against Vespasian and Titus, in a town of Judea, 
where 40,000 Jews were slain. 

8 



/ 



86 



CATECHISM m 



Q. How was Josephus saved ? 

A. He fled into a cave with forty of his country- 
men, and having all drawn lots to kill one another, 
Josephus remained the last, and surrendered him- 
self to Vespasian. 

Q. What was Vespasian's estimation of Jose- 
phus? 

A. Josephus gained the emperor's esteem. He 
was present at the siege of Jerusalem, by Titus, 
with whom he came to Rome, and was honored 
with the privilege of a Roman citizen. 

Q. What were his principal writings ? 

A. He wrote the history of the wars of the 
Jews, both in Syriac and Greek. He also wrote 
two books to defend the Jews against Apion, be- 
sides an account of his own life. 



CHAPTER LXIII. 

Pyrrhus. 
Q. Who was Pyrrhus ? 

A. Pyrrhus was the son of Adcides, and was 
placed on the throne of Epiris, when only 12 
years of age, by Elautias, King of Illyricum. 

Q. What have you to record of Pyrrhus ? 

A. Pyrrhus was invited by the Tarentines to 
assist them against the Romans. On his passage 
across the Adriatic, he lost the greater part of his 
troops in a storm. 



CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



87 



Q. What success attended Pyrrhus in his war 
against the Romans ? 

A. In his first battle with the Romans, he was 
victorious; but the loss he experienced was so 
great that he sued for peace ; but his offers were 
refused. Another battle was soon after fought 
near Asculum, where both Pyrrhus and his ene- 
mies claimed the victory. 

Q. Did Pyrrhus continue in Italy after his second 
battle with the Romans ? 

A, No : his love of novelty induced him to pass 
over into Sicily, where he obtained two decisive 
victories over the Carthagenians, and took many 
of their towns. 

Q. Where did Pyrrhus next engage ? 

A. He then returned to Italy, where he renewed 
hostilities with the Romans, but his army of 
80,000 men was defeated by Carius with an army 
of 20,000 men. He left Italy, about 274 before 
Christ. 

T. Relate briefly the manner of the death of 
Pyrrhus ? 

P. He marched against Sparta, but was obliged 
to retire to Argos, where a bloody conflict ensued, 
during which a Roman threw from the top of a 
house a tile which caused his death, 272 years 
before the Christian era. 

Q. What character is given of Pyrrhus ? 

A. Pyrrhus has been deservedly commended for 
his talents as a general; and even the Romans 
passed great enconiums upon him. 



88 CATECHISM OF CLASSICAL BIOGRAPHY. 



CHAPTER LXIV. 

Pisistratus. 

Q* Who was Pisistratus ? 

A. Pisistratus was an Athenian, who, after msuc 
ing himself popular by his liberality and his bravery, 
determined to secure to himself the government 
of the country ; but was opposed by Solon, who 
exposed his duplicity before the people. 

Q. What course did Pisistratus then pursue to 
attain his ambitious views ? 

A. He next had recourse to artifice. Having 
artfully obtained a body of chosen men protect 
him from his enemies, he forcibly took possession 
of the citadel of Athens, and made himself abso- 
lute? 

Q, What more have you to relate of Pisistratus ? 

A. He was three times ejected from Athens and 
was as often recalled to sovereign power. He 
died about 257 years before the Christian era. 



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